rat death and lonely cagemate

Question
Hi, I have had my two boys since about March and they are about 9 months old. I have have five previous rats before.
Firstly, unfortunately Jay died very suddenly three days ago, I'm still upset about it as I can't believe he has gone. He had been running around enjoying some free play and was eating and drinking absolutely fine, then they came back into the cage for a yogurt drop and I was tidying up. I then heard noticed him lying there and seemed to be twitching on the cage floor, I immediately picked him up to check if he was ok and he was twitching then appeared to have a sort of fit then was limp in my hands, I was on the phone to the emergency vet to book an appointment, but by then it was too late as his chest had stopped moving. I sat for a while with him, but he had gone. I couldn't believe it as it happened so quickly. especially as he was still relatively young. Have you heard of this before or know what it might be?

Secondly, now Jonny is left by himself. They got on very well, playing, grooming and sleeping with each other. I have given Jonny lots of interaction over the past couple of days and he seems to be absolutely fine. Should I take him to a vet to check him over in light of what happened to Jay? Also is it worth considering getting another rat so he isn't alone, as I know rats are sociable and he is used to being with another rat. I am worried about getting another rat incase they don't get on?what do you think?

Kind Regards
Hannah

Answer
How sad for you and your loss.  Believe it or not, several years ago I lost my Peanut like this. He was out playing etc....I put him back and left the room and when I came back in five minutes later I heard a strange noise and when I turned to his cage, he was already dead. I held him for two hours sobbing in disbelief.  He had a heart attack. He was 14 months old. I have lost rats to brain aneurysms too. Sudden death like your rat is usually caused by heart attack or brain aneurysms, anything acute like that, unfortunately.  

As for your surviving rat, sadly he is a bit too old to be introduced to another male, even if he was a baby rat, the older rat may kill him.  You can perhaps try to find a neutered male or spayed female and see how they get along, but I would just keep him happy by giving him alot of love and time out to play etc...  dont fret so much that he is alone.  Sometimes the stress of trying to get him to like a new mate is worse than living alone.